BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 18, 2015
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
M. CABALLERO J. HEYER G. KELLY
M. NEUMAN D. SCHNEIDER
EXCUSED:
J. FRANCIS H. HUGHES J. PALTZ
J. SMITH
ABSENT:
D. ESQUERRA C. PIGOTT
GUESTS:
J. ARDILLA – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
T. NARANJO – REP. FOR THE DEPT. OF PARKS & RECREATION
M. SALIG P. BELLENBAUM S. NEILSON
J. SCHILLING M. OLIVER J. HERSHKOWITZ
M. CABALLERO J. NUBILE
*** MINUTES ***
Presentation and discussion with representative for the Department of Parks & Recreation on the preliminary design plans for the reconstruction of the St. Mary’s Playground on Smith Street between Luquer and Huntington Streets.
Mary Salig and Terry Naranjo from the Department of Parks & Recreation made the presentation. This is a two phase project and this presentation will cover phase 2.
Cost estimated at a total of $2.7 million, mostly from Council Member Brad Lander and Borough President Eric Adams. Schematic based on scope meeting concerns: repaving, basketball, skating spot, adult fitness, artificial turf, painted track. Open dusk to dawn Discussion of basketball hoops and fence beside yards. Currently left. Possibility of sound proofing with foam and half-court raised. Friends of St. Mary’s Playground beginning to form with Brooklyn International School Parents. Light added. Shielded from residences. Skate-park targeted towards learners. Slat-based benches – 1964 World’s Fair style. Avoiding MTA columns. Uses pipe to separate park uses from columns. Expected one year construction time. Full timeline including design and procurement is 3 to 4 years. Projected finish is spring of 2018. Including ground hydrants to combat dust.
A motion was made by John Heyer and seconded by Max Neuman to conditionally approve with stipulation that basketball courts be altered.
MOTION PASSED: unanimously as a recommendation to full board due to lack of a quorum.
General community concern over dust and oil smells near the Gowanus was referred to the District Office.
General Playground Overview: Pre-scope meeting on next Monday for Ennis Park. Scope meeting before Christmas $2.5 million in funding from Borough President Adams ($650,000) and Council Member Lander ($1.5 million). EPA involvement in Red Hook due to past lead smelting at fields 5,6,7,8. Fields closed. Meeting with EPA. Planning to use synthetic turf and possible adding lights. Field 9 is also considered but not at risk. It will be remediated after 5,6,7,8. To be finished by 2018 with buffer and demarcation layers. ADA access added. Upcoming testing on fields 1 through 4. Non-lead EPA team looking at Halleck Street. LICH – Restrictive Declaration Sites. Parks Department enforces but does not own. Planned park on Columbia Street between Degraw and Kane: Brooklyn Greenway. Property will not be transferred without funding to improve. $2 million and perhaps another million via Council Member Menchaca left over from Valentino Comfort Station. Remains in Parks Department’s pool. Under the Tracks at 9th Street currently occupied by MTA. Flatbush Avenue from Grand Army Plaza to the Zoo to be refurbished with fencing upgrades – inter alia. “Parks without Borders” more inviting interests – less fences.
Launch on December 15 at the Picnic House in Prospect Park at 6:30pm with Commissioner Silver. $50 million citywide has been allocated. Small projects and 2 foot fences.
Orientation: rules, regulation and procedures governing committee participation.
Explanation of the committee’s purpose was discussed and the subject of somewhat infrequent meetings.
There being no further business the committee adjourned at 8:11pm.
The minutes were submitted by Max F. Neuman.